The Blues: How Three Chords Became Rock & Roll
Eight Classes, 2 hr. Lecture
Rock & Roll exists because of The Blues. The genre that began with songs sung by slaves on southern plantations became gospel music, the acoustic blues of the Mississippi Delta, the electrified sounds of Chicago, and the rhythm and blues associated with Memphis. When a diverse audience discovered this musical form in the 50’s, rock & roll was born, creating careers for artists like Aretha Franklin, The Drifters, and a guy named Elvis. The Blues inspired rock groups on both sides of the ocean, the soulful sounds of Motown and Philadelphia, Hip Hop and Rap music.
Through historic recordings, videos, commentary and personal recollection, the class explores the history and evolution of African and African American music through The Blues to Rock & Roll, along the way producing social change and technological innovation that spread worldwide.
Lesson Breakdown
Pre Blues, Music Theory & Reference Vocabulary, Origins in Africa, Slave Trade, The Gullahs, Field Chants & Hollers, Call & Response, Alan Lomax
Mississippi Delta Artists
Texas, Memphis & Chicago Blues, The Electric Guitar
The 50’s Pt. 1, Turning Point- Intro & Overview, Record Companies, Producers, Promoters, Songwriters, How It Works (Publishing 101) The Artists & Music
The 50’s Pt. 2 – Extensions, Expansion, Changes in Sound & Form, Doo Wop, Gospel, Wall of Sound, The Artists & Music
The 60’s & 70’s U.S.- Rediscovered Blues Artists, Blues Rock, Gospel Influence, Mass Choirs & Motown
60’s & 70’s British Invasion
80’s & Onward- New Technology, MIDI, Digital Recording, Hip-Hop & Rap, Full Circle Return to The Chant